Sounds like a fantastic time already Zoe, and you haven't got past picking dresses!

As for the bouquet, just look at a bit of Aussie Rules football, you'll get the idea of standing on the opponents shoulders to get the ball!

Karen.

I can see our Zoe doing that. Up there Ca Zoe ly.

Sorry hun an aussie rules footy song and I cannot remember the rest. Do you know a  you tube Karen?

Cindy

I'll see if I can find one, probably Collingwood though!
Karen.

?

Thanks Tekla, you beat me to it. Collingwood at the start too!

So Zoe, all you have to do really is get a few paces run up, and jump into the opponents other girls back, and sort of run up them as they crash to the ground.  Should work a treat!

Karen.

Thanks Kat,

I have no idea why anyone want to put there body through that  except $$$$$$.
I think the max salary in the AFL is about $1m the average is less than $100k?
Then you guys get ex AFL players being punters. Oh are they soft.

Cindy 

Yeah I do pretty quick research.  It's my 'other' life.  I post on here because I pass by it (tabbed browsers) as I'm looking up other stuff from other sources for other people, or printing it out.  I've got 3 computers on 24/7 here, and one at work (because why make only one paycheck at a time?).

Football here pays (mandatory minimum, as of a year or two ago) rookies and first-year players-$295,000. Second-year players-$370,000. Third-year-$445,000.

The highest paid is Payton Manning, @ $23,000,000 a year, and it's looking like he's hurt so bad he's not going to play a game this year.

Very high pay for some AFL players.
They are use to kicking long goals, and they are very use to tackle. And giving it out. We are a strange people with a strong culture, we do not give in, sometimes I wish we would.

I think the Aussie psyche is;if I'm the last person left, attack is the only option. And we never attack to lose.

The animals on our National Coat of Arms are appropriate, kangaroos and emus can't go backwards.  Good emblem for us too!

The bride's shoes sound lovely, do they have sequins and sparklies Zoe?

Karen. Getting back to important things like shoes!

OMG, that video looked painful!   I have the vertical leap for it though.  And the super long arms.  Think I might need to find a dress that looks like the uniforms though, just so everyone knows I mean business.

You DO know that song is going to be in my head when it happens, right?

Because the only alternative?  Vinadaloo!!

You know what?! This all just toooo much for this here old lady.

My imagination seems to fail me for right now.

Why? Not that I was asked being Best Man to my ex's wedding but just to be there, just to be present. I couldn't then, I guess I'd have a tough time now.

My ex is re-married since 28 years, mind you --- and I can sit on her bed (her in it) and watch TV without ANY sexual innuendo/thoughts just kindness and being friends. Same for her I'm sure.

Her 2nd husband finally after my 1 1/2 years of transitioning is genuinely VERY nice to me.
Always though of him as a nice man, choleric some times, but then lots of stressed males are just so also.

That is after some 30 years!!

Zoë what you have been offered is mind blowing, truly --- but it be just a few notches to far out for my own sanity.

I so HOPE and wish for you this to be one great event with loads of positives!!!!

Big hug honey,
Axelle

Lol at Vindaloo!

Well impressed by Zoe's story. Can't say that I'm on particularly great terms with most of my ex's, not even on talking terms with my very recent one... Am decent friends in a way with one girl who went Gay and good friends with the only man I ever went out with and with his lovely wife but they live abroad and we seldom meet.

Zoe,

If you can't take the mark, you can always go Barry Hall on their asses!!  hehhee... No I didn't have any 'sports' training either, but in male mode you need to learn the sports lingo.
In Melbourne it's all that 'aerial ping-pong', down in Sydney it's the Rugby.

Both pointless if you ask me

Speaking of footy shorts, isn't that why most women like AFL?   

I just like watching the men in the NRL hurting each other!!

Now back to the shoe question, will there be sequins or other sparklies?

Karen.

Oh, the shoes!   These are the shoes right here:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/badgley-mischka-salsa-pump/3184907?origin=category&resultback=441

She also considered a similar style, but in silver:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/badgley-mischka-lacie-pump/3142654?origin=related-3142654-0-0-1-2

Though the silver ones are absolutely gorgeous and don't shout "WEDDING!" in the way that the white ones do, I talked her into the white ones.  The only other silver that she's going to be wearing is a bracelet and and a silver leafy headband.  Having white shoes with the silvery decoration on the front was far more balancing, considering she's also wearing a white dress and her mother-in-law's pearls.  If she wore the all-silver shoes, all eyes would go straight to the shoes because they'd stand out more than anything!

So while silver was more practical, I couldn't let her do it.

Both gorgeous but yes the white ones. They look comfy too.

Those are cute shoes

She says pullin on her boots

Both gorgeous, but you are right the white with silver decoration will look much better.  Good thing they don't come in my size or the Credit Card would get a workout.

Monday I wrote my ex one of those letters you never intend to post to give final closure to things.  I read it to my therapist in  a phone consultation, and she said it was really good and I should send it.  I gave her a rundown on what has been happening with my transition and other things since we separated, and told her I bear her no ill-will, as G***** was a different person, and I am Karen now.  I did say I would love to catch up with her and her partner for coffee and a chat next time I am in town.

I have no idea whether I will get a reply, or if she will want to meet, but going on how she was when I moved away, I am hopeful we can be friends of sorts finally.  Even if just for the sake of our children who have had to deal with a hell of a lot.

Karen.

He shows your pic to his straight friends and says, "She used to be mine"